Songs About Writing
I find music therapeutic and inspiring, in general, but also specifically in terms of writing. I thought i'd share a few songs that talk about writing and writer's block for anyone else who needs a bit of musical therapy or inspiration.
There are six songs; i've put all but one behind a cut to save your feeds. But if you only listen to one, make it this first one. I've had it (happily) in my head for days now, and Joanna Newsom is a beautiful wordsmith.
Joanna Newsom - Inflammatory Writ
Snippet:
And as for my inflammatory writ
Well I wrote it and I was not inflamed one bit
Advice from the master derailed that disaster
He said, "Hand that pen over to me, poetaster!"
While across the great plains, keening lovely and awful
Ululate the lost great American novels
An unlawful lot left to stutter and freeze floodlit
But at least they didn't run to their undying credit
Lower Than Atlantis - War With Words
Snippet:
White paper black
It's ink-filled and cross-hatched
And I'm fucking knackered
It's late and I'm drained, blaming brains
Two weeks to get to this stage
Wars with words rage
Laura Marling - The Muse
Snippet:
You know what I need
Why won't you give it me?
Must I fall down at your feet and plead?
The Sheds - Writer's Block
Snippet:
I've never been great with words
Always wishing for magic, my wand hits the notepad
But nothing comes out, it's already been said
Big ideas in my head, never could form the words
Rilo Kiley - It's A Hit
Snippet:
Any idiot can play Greek for a day
And join a sorority or write a tragedy;
And articulate all that pain
And maybe you'll get paid
But it's a sin when success complains
And your writers block- it don't mean shit
Just throw it against the wall and see what sticks
Gotta write a hit - i think this is it
Jets To Brazil - I Typed For Miles
Snippet:
Leave me here to my devices
I need a word to change my life
I've tied my ankles to the table legs with wire
He can't write so much as type
Leave me here to my devices
I can't think with all this noise
There are six songs; i've put all but one behind a cut to save your feeds. But if you only listen to one, make it this first one. I've had it (happily) in my head for days now, and Joanna Newsom is a beautiful wordsmith.
Joanna Newsom - Inflammatory Writ
Click to viewSnippet:
And as for my inflammatory writ
Well I wrote it and I was not inflamed one bit
Advice from the master derailed that disaster
He said, "Hand that pen over to me, poetaster!"
While across the great plains, keening lovely and awful
Ululate the lost great American novels
An unlawful lot left to stutter and freeze floodlit
But at least they didn't run to their undying credit
Lower Than Atlantis - War With Words
Snippet:
White paper black
It's ink-filled and cross-hatched
And I'm fucking knackered
It's late and I'm drained, blaming brains
Two weeks to get to this stage
Wars with words rage
Laura Marling - The Muse
Snippet:
You know what I need
Why won't you give it me?
Must I fall down at your feet and plead?
The Sheds - Writer's Block
Snippet:
I've never been great with words
Always wishing for magic, my wand hits the notepad
But nothing comes out, it's already been said
Big ideas in my head, never could form the words
Rilo Kiley - It's A Hit
Snippet:
Any idiot can play Greek for a day
And join a sorority or write a tragedy;
And articulate all that pain
And maybe you'll get paid
But it's a sin when success complains
And your writers block- it don't mean shit
Just throw it against the wall and see what sticks
Gotta write a hit - i think this is it
Jets To Brazil - I Typed For Miles
Snippet:
Leave me here to my devices
I need a word to change my life
I've tied my ankles to the table legs with wire
He can't write so much as type
Leave me here to my devices
I can't think with all this noise